Town of Stoneham Massachusetts Patrick Francis Jordan, Jr. 1944-2013 Former Chairman and Member of the Board of Selectmen Annual Report 2013 Each year, the Board of Selectmen prepares the Annual Town Report, which serves to document the activities of our town departments and those significant events which had an impact on our community. While not occurring in Stoneham, it is without question that the Boston Marathon Bombing and the events over the following days will never be forgotten. Like the tragedy of September 11, 2001, the Marathon Bombing was broadcast into our homes on live television. We all witnessed the brave actions of the first responders rushing to the scene to take care of those injured. Later that day as we watched the news, we learned that 6 injured at the finish line had ties to Stoneham. On the evening of April 17, the people of Stoneham came together on the Town Common, united in our support to the victims. Little did we know that the following day tragedy would once again strike in our backyard. On the night of April 18, MIT Police officer Sean Collier was fatally shot by the two bombing suspects. During the ensuing manhunt, MBTA Transit Police officer Richard Donohue was shot. Members of the Stoneham Police Department, assigned to a regional SWAT Team already working in Boston, would be among the first officers to respond to Watertown as the gun battle took place. As the search for the remaining suspect took place, Governor Deval Patrick ordered Metropolitan Boston into lock down. There was a collective sigh of relief when the remaining suspect was captured in that boat, again on live television. The following week, Officer Collier’s wake and funeral services would be held in Stoneham. On the evening of April 26, we came together again at Stoneham High School to support each other and recognize the first responders from our community. The support we demonstrated for the victims of the Marathon Bombing and how our residents came together truly showed that we are STONEHAM STRONG. 2 Town of Stoneham Massachusetts Annual Report 2013 Board of Selectmen Left to right: Selectman Frank Vallarelli, Selectman Thomas Boussy, Chairman Robert W. Sweeney, Selectwoman Ann Marie O’Neill and Selectman John F. DePinto (Photo by William T. Ryerson) 3 Town of Stoneham Massachusetts Vital Statistics Incorporated: December 17, 1725 Population: 21,437 Land Area: 6.6 square miles Location: Ten miles north of Boston; close proximity to Interstate Highways 93 and 128 Form of Government: Open Town Meeting Selectmen/Town Administrator Annual Town Election: First Tuesday in April Annual Town Meeting: First Monday in May Town Operating Budget (FY13): $66,687,115 Assessed Valuation (FY13): $2,989,674,327 FY14 Tax Rate: Residential $13.22 Commercial $22.00 Senators in U.S. Congress: Edward J. Markey (6/13) Elizabeth Warren Representative in U.S. Congress: Katherine Clark (12/13) (Fifth Congressional District) Commonwealth of Massachusetts Sixth Councillor District: Terrance Kennedy Fifth Middlesex Senatorial District: Vacant (12/13) 31st Middlesex Representative District Jason Lewis District Court: 4th East Middlesex Woburn, Massachusetts 4 Table of Contents Stoneham - A Brief Profile............................................................................................... 6 Town Officers and Committees ....................................................................................... 6 Town Government Organization................................................................................... 10 Board of Selectmen ......................................................................................................... 11 Town Administrator ....................................................................................................... 12 Board of Assessors .......................................................................................................... 12 Council on Aging............................................................................................................. 13 Fire Department.............................................................................................................. 16 Board of Health............................................................................................................... 22 Historical Commission.................................................................................................... 25 Historical Society ............................................................................................................ 29 Memorial Day Parade Committee................................................................................. 30 Unicorn and Stoneham Oaks Golf Courses.................................................................. 32 Police Department........................................................................................................... 32 Detective Bureau ......................................................................................................... 33 Patrol Operations........................................................................................................ 35 Auxiliary Police Department ..................................................................................... 36 Safety Officer............................................................................................................... 37 Public Safety Dispatch................................................................................................ 37 Public Library ................................................................................................................. 38 School Committee and Superintendent of Schools ...................................................... 41 Central Elementary School .........................................................................................................42 Colonial Park School......................................................................................................................43 Robin Hood School .........................................................................................................................44 South School ......................................................................................................................................45 Stoneham Middle School..............................................................................................................46 Stoneham High School ..................................................................................................................47 Physical Education and Athletics..............................................................................................51 Guidance Department ...................................................................................................................53 Special Education............................................................................................................................55 Graduation . Class of 2013......................................................................................................57 School Building Committee Stoneham Middle School................................................ 60 Inspectional Services / Building Department ............................................................... 60 Public Works Department ............................................................................................. 61 Treasurer/Tax Collector................................................................................................. 69 Town Accountant............................................................................................................ 70 Town Clerk...................................................................................................................... 86 Bikeway/Greenway Committee ................................................................................... 123 Switchbox Art Project .................................................................................................. 124 Town Hall Organ .......................................................................................................... 124 Conservation Commission............................................................................................ 125 Board of Appeals........................................................................................................... 125 Finance and Advisory Board ....................................................................................... 126 Planning Board.............................................................................................................. 126 Information Technology............................................................................................... 127 Town Counsel................................................................................................................ 128 Stoneham Substance Abuse Coalition......................................................................... 129 Alpha Index ................................................................................................................... 130 5 Stoneham - A Brief Profile Once a major shoe manufacturing center, the Stoneham of today is a residential community whose commerce includes a balanced mix of retailing, service businesses, and a scattering of light manufacturing. Recreational facilities abound in Stoneham. Little League Baseball, Youth Basketball, Northeast Conference Youth Football